September is a key month to reflect on suicide prevention—a critical issue in Colombia. The National Surveillance System (SIVIGILA) recorded 669 suicide attempts among children and adolescents in just one week of 2019, with a particularly high incidence among young people aged 15 to 24 (147.4 per 100,000) and within the female population.
These figures highlight the urgency of responding with intersectoral mental health actions and community support. The data presented above reflect the pressing need to act through intersectoral mental health measures and community-based support.
In this context, on September 15, 2019, the Tolima Red Cross invited YumaKids
professionals to the forum Preventive Actions for Mental Health, held at 4:00 p.m. at its
facilities. The event also included the Colombia-Barcelona child mental health prevention
network and was open to the public.
YumaKids experts provided tools for addressing this issue through professional support,
early detection, and strengthened school-family networks. The forum highlighted the
importance of community-based initiatives like those of the Red Cross for preventing youth
suicide.
YumaKids encourages educators, professionals, families, and the broader Tolima
community to join this collective effort. By participating and creating emotional support
spaces, we can save lives. Contact us for more information.
